|
Event/Site: Yadkinville
Bluegrass Contest and
Fiddler’s Convention
Date: Third Saturday in
April. Competition begins at 4:00 p.m. Gates open at noon.
Registration is from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Type: Evening bluegrass music competitions with prizes
awarded. Concessions available
throughout the evening. It is recommended
that folks bring lawn chairs and/or blankets
Location: Yadkinville
County Park, 6600 Service Road, Yadkinville, NC 27055.
Click here for a map. (In case of rain, the event
will move to Forbush High School, 1525 Falcon Road, East Bend, NC,
27018 -
Click here for a map.)
Cost: $8.00 for adults; free for children under 10.
Parking: Free. Adequate for bus tours.
Special Needs Access: Venue is fully accessible.
Signage: Sign at location, but not en route.
Sponsor: Yadkin Arts Council
Contact:
Robert Steelman
Yadkinville, NC 27055
(336) 463-5624
bluegrass@yadtel.net
Yadkin Arts Council
P.O. Box 667
Yadkinville,
NC
27055
(336) 679-2941
yadkinarts@yadtel.net
Website:
www.angelfire.com/music2/bluegrasscontest
Description
of Event: Some of the best local and regional
bluegrass musicians compete for prizes at this fundraiser, which
donates a portion of its proceeds to the Yadkinville Elementary
School.
The contest attracts contestants from all over North Carolina and from Virginia and
other nearby states. Prizes are
awarded in the following categories: fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar,
bass, dobro, solo vocalist, vocal group, and
promising young talent. Each
year, a significant amount of cash prizes, as well as numerous ribbons,
are awarded.
The
Master-of-Ceremonies is Harold Mitchell of Galax, Virginia. An experienced broadcaster for many
decades, Mitchell also hosts the famous Galax Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention. Over the years, he’s worked
with bluegrass legends such as Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt.
History of Site/Event: The
Yadkinville Bluegrass Contest & Fiddlers' Convention first began in
1985, the brain child of the then president of the Yadkinville Jaycees,
an avid bluegrass fan who recruited Robert Steelman
to organize the event. Mr. Steelman has been in charge of the event ever
since. In 2003, the Yadkinville
Jaycees asked the Yadkin Arts Council to sponsor the convention.
Description of Site/Facility: The
event takes place at the Ted Williams Amphitheater at the Yadkinville
County Park. It is recommended that attendees bring their own lawn
chairs and/or blankets. In case of rain, the event will be moved to
Forbush High School.
Significance of Site/Event to the Community: The event heightens local awareness of the abundant
bluegrass music talent in the county and region. It also brings
visitors to the area each year, both as contestants and listeners. The convention awards bluegrass
talent, including young talent, and encourages multigenerational
sharing of area bluegrass traditions.
Reference Source: Robert
Steelman; Yadkinville Jaycees web
site; Blue Ridge Music Trails by Fred C. Fussell
and Blue Ridge Music Trials Music
Inventory for North Carolina by Sally Council.
|
